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Monthly Archives: May 2010

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Along my years of experience in education I learnt that education is something alive, it shapes society and individuals because of the transmission of knowledge. However, education itself is in turn shaped by society. Education is there for society. Consequently, educators have to be flexible enough to change their classroom methods according to the culture of their students. In communication we learn that for communication to be effective, the sender has to use the same language as the receiver so that there will be no misunderstanding. Similary, in the classroom, the educator has to speak the language of the students. This will lead to students’ motivation. Nowadays, our students are living in a world of technology and virtual reality. They are interested in all sorts of gadgets… So to enter in their world and share knowledge, we need to use their language, that is, computers and technology. E-learning gives this opportunity to educators. Education has to be in line with new trends…. E-learning helps us to do so!!

A very interesting talk given by Sir Ken Robinson at TED symposium. It makes us, as educators, think in an entirely different perspective…thinking of Education as an “organic” process, as he describes it rather than as a “linear” concept. He also explores the issue of our ‘one size fits all‘ education perspective. Sometimes it’s so much easier to think of the audience in front of you as a class, rather than as a collection of individuals with individual needs and aspirations.
Hence his expression, that we are delivering Education as a “fast food” concept, rather than as a personalized experience for the individuals who, we are indeed, responsible for.
And indeed he does mention our responsibility as Educators, in the way we deliver what we know… he mentions passion, he mentions enjoying what one does. I have in the past, often been accused of involving myself too much in my teachings, that I should attend “passion management” courses 🙂 maybe it’s true – all I can say is that I love what I do, and that all I have done so far, all the work I have built was aimed at leading me where I am… I will never stop learning, learning from all those who surround me in whatever role they might play… but further to the comment above, I would also like to personally add another comment. I believe that we, as persons, as individuals, facing our audience, whether in a class setting or otherwise, are like mirrors – we reflect what we transpire. If we transpire passion, enthusiasm, and interest then our students, our children, and our audience will reflect that back.

PS. Do comment back on what you think of that and if you have some experiences to share with all of us about the extent to which your students can be motivated into enjoying themselves in their learning experiences.

With the shift of the Web from a mere portal where static content is displayed to the Web as a medium, where the people become speakers as well as listeners has opened whole new possibilities in learning.

Researchers describe this as the e-learning 2.0 shift, and learners become what is termed as ‘prosumers’; i.e. producers and consumers of information. People of all ages, and coming from all angles; diverse backgrounds and cultures, have started contributing to this Web of Knowledge. Experts over the Web seem to have been placed in the shadow, as new tools are giving more opportunities for people to share what they know.

Contribute with your comments on how the Web is shifting to become more interactive and how this is affecting teaching and learning. In addition how can the Web 2.0 concepts and its tools be exploited within a classroom setting?